Without use of a wall, Viparita Karani resembles a Salamba Sarvāngāsana (supported shoulder stand) but with flexion in the thoracic spine (rather than the cervical spine, elbows on the floor and hands supporting hips or lower back.[3] A more advanced variation has the entire spine on the floor and 90° flexion at the hips with arms relaxed alongside the torso.

Variations include bringing the soles of the feet together such as in Baddha Konasana or letting the legs fall outward into a straddle.